Last year I hosted my first annual holiday putz house making party and it was so much fun it’s become a tradition. If you’re a vintage art and architecture lover, you’ll find these especially appealing. Putz houses were super popular to make in the 1950s, and you can find some darling retro ones at antique malls in the like, or you can craft up your own. You can find and download the plans via Retro Renovation’s website, and she’s got several to choose from, including A-frames, split levels, and ranch houses, depending on your mid-century style.

Her tips are also fantastic, including using cardboard cereal boxes for the main house frames, and you can see we got real crafty with our glitter and dollar store accessories, including the battery-powered tea lights that lit them up from inside.

You don’t have to be an architect to make them, but I have to say that the architects present rocked the putz house making. Add some classic cocktails, retro appetizers, and Frank Sinatra singing about white Christmases and you’ve got a pretty perfect holiday party, if you ask me.